Sirach 40

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Great travail is created for every man, and an heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother's womb, till the day that they return to the mother of all things.	1 A hard lot has been created for human beings, a heavy yoke lies on the children of Adam from the daythey come out of their mother's womb, till the day they return to the mother of them al .
2 Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, [trouble] their thoughts, and [cause] fear of heart;	2 What fills them with foreboding and their hearts with fear is dread of the day of death.
3 From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes;	3 From the one who sits on a glorious throne to the wretch in dust and ashes,
4 From him that weareth purple and a crown, unto him that is clothed with a linen frock.	4 from the one who wears purple and a crown to the one dressed in sacking, al is fury and jealousy,turmoil and unrest, fear of death, rivalry, strife.
5 Wrath, and envy, trouble, and unquietness, fear of death, and anger, and strife, and in the time of rest upon his bed his night sleep, do change his knowledge.	5 And even at night while he rests on his bed his sleep only gives a new twist to his worries:
6 A little or nothing is his rest, and afterward he is in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he were escaped out of a battle.	6 scarcely has he lain down to rest, when in his sleep, as if in broad daylight, he is troubled withnightmares, like one who has escaped from a battle,
7 When all is safe, he awaketh, and marvelleth that the fear was nothing.	7 and at the moment of rescue he wakes up, amazed that there was nothing to be afraid of!
8 [Such things happen] unto all flesh, both man and beast, and that is sevenfold more upon sinners.	8 For al creatures, human and animal -- and seven times more for sinners-
9 Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;	9 there is death and blood and strife and the sword, disasters, famine, affliction, plague.
10 These things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.	10 These things were al created for the wicked, and the Flood came because of them.
11 All things that are of the earth shall turn to the earth again: and that which is of the waters doth return into the sea.	11 Al that comes from the earth returns to the earth, and what comes from the water returns to the sea.
12 All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out: but true dealing shall endure for ever.	12 Al bribery and injustice wil be blotted out, but good faith wil stand for ever.
13 The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain.	13 Il -gotten wealth will vanish like a torrent, like the single thunder-clap that heralds rain.
14 While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice: so shall transgressors come to nought.	14 When he opens his hand, he rejoices, by the same token, sinners come to ruin.
15 The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches: but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock.	15 The sprigs of the godless wil not make many branches, tainted roots find only hard rock.
16 The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river shall be pulled up before all grass.	16 The reed that grows by every lake and river's edge is the first plant to be uprooted.
17 Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, and mercifulness endureth for ever.	17 Charity is a very paradise of blessing and almsgiving endures for ever.
18 To labour, and to be content with that a man hath, is a sweet life: but he that findeth a treasure is above them both.	18 For a person of private means and one who works hard, life is pleasant, better off than either, one whofinds a treasure.
19 Children and the building of a city continue a man's name: but a blameless wife is counted above them both.	19 Children and the founding of a city perpetuate a name: more esteemed than either, a perfect wife.
20 Wine and musick rejoice the heart: but the love of wisdom is above them both.	20 Wine and music cheer the heart; better than either, the love of wisdom.
21 The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody: but a pleasant tongue is above them both.	21 Flute and harp add sweetness to a song; better than either, a melodious voice.
22 Thine eye desireth favour and beauty: but more than both corn while it is green.	22 The eye longs for grace and beauty; better than either, the green of spring corn.
23 A friend and companion never meet amiss: but above both is a wife with her husband.	23 Friend or comrade -- it is always wel met; better than either, a wife and husband.
24 Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but alms shall deliver more than them both.	24 Brothers and al ies are good in times of trouble; better than either, almsgiving to the rescue.
25 Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: but counsel is esteemed above them both.	25 Gold and silver wil steady your feet; more esteemed than either, good advice.
26 Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear of the Lord is above them both: there is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek help.	26 Money and strength make a confident heart; better than either, the fear of the Lord. With fear of theLord, nothing is lacking: no need to seek for other help.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, and covereth him above all glory.	27 Fear of the Lord is a paradise of blessing, a better protection than the highest reputation.
28 My son, lead not a beggar's life; for better it is to die than to beg.	28 My child, do not live by sponging off others, better be dead than be a sponger.
29 The life of him that dependeth on another man's table is not to be counted for a life; for he polluteth himself with other men's meat: but a wise man well nurtured will beware thereof.	29 A life spent in eyeing someone else's table cannot be accounted a life at al . Other people's fooddefiles the gul et; a wise, wel -brought-up person wil beware of doing this.
30 Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: but in his belly there shall burn a fire.	30 What a sponger says may sound very sweet but in his bel y there burns a fire.